People in Appalachia have one of the most unique dialects in America. On this classic Front Porch podcast, native speaker Rick Wilson teaches us eight ways to speak Appalachian. 1. Pronounce “pin” and “pen” the same “They’re both ‘pins’ - just deal with it,” Wilson says. 2. Unlike the deep South, pronounce your “r” In fact, sometimes insert an “r” where it isn’t. (For example: “holler” for “hollow”.) 3. Use some colorful idioms From Wilson’s father: “That looks like a dog’s ass sewed up with a

Should able-bodied West Virginia adults receive food stamps? And if so, should they be required to work or volunteer to get them? Front Porch host Rick Wilson says no . More than 14,000 food stamp recipients participated in a 9-county pilot program, but only 259 gained employment. On the other hand, 5,417 people were cut off. But many state lawmakers say yes. A bill in the state Senate would require any able-bodied adult to complete 20 hours of work or volunteer service to receive food stamps.

With lawmakers in Charleston facing a $500 million budget hole, they're debating big changes to the tax code, including eliminating the income tax and raising sales taxes. Is that wise? West Virginia University Bureau of Business and Economic Research Director John Deskins explains the pros and cons on this week's Front Porch Podcast. “The difference is savings,” Deskins told WVU News. “Under a consumption tax only the money you spend on ‘stuff’ is taxed; all the money you save is tax free until

Frustrated by the inability to get a bill out of committee, House Democrats tried to legalize medical marijuana from the floor Thursday but failed, 35 to 64. Still, a recent poll shows a majority of West Virginians favor medical marijuana. Is this an idea whose time has come?

The Trump Administration recently rescinded an advisory telling schools to allow transgendered students to use the facilities of their choice. On this week's Front Porch podcast, we have a lively debate about how to best deal with the emerging transgender rights movement in West Virginia, and balance competing privacy interests. “The Front Porch” is where we tackle the tough issues facing West Virginia and Appalachia with some of the region's most interesting thinkers. WVPB Executive Director

GOP leaders proposing a tax overhaul that would eliminate West Virginia income tax, while increasing the sales tax and expanding it to services that are currently exempt. Is this a good idea? Rick Wilson of the American Friends Service Committee calls it “the second-cousin of all bad ideas, because its regressive, it puts more burdens on the working class than the wealthy.” Laurie Lin says, “It’s not a great idea for West Virginia,” – even if it works in other states. A state with so many border

"In a rhetorical flourish almost certainly unlike any in the history of West Virginia gubernatorial oratory, Jim Justice spread his arms wide and moaned in an impression of Frankenstein’s monster." That's how WV Metronews reporter Brad McElhinny described the end of Gov. Jim Justice's State of the State address. Justice was making a point about the state budget mess, a deficit of almost $500 million. Justice also proposed increasing the sales tax by half a percent, instituting a tax on

Change is coming to education in West Virginia, at both the state and federal levels. At the federal level, President Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Education is Betsy DeVos, a businesswoman and philanthropist who’s led the fight for vouchers and charter schools. And at the state level, we have two resignations from the state school board, which will give Governor Jim Justice a majority – and the ability to reshape public education in the state. Here to talk about all this is Mark Sadd – he’s

West Virginia’s economy has a “chicken and egg” problem. To grow more jobs here, we need better-educated, healthy employees. But before we can afford to pay for better schools and health, we need more jobs and more businesses. As you might imagine, liberals and conservatives have different ideas which should come first – lower taxes or higher education and health spending. On this Front Porch podcast, hear a Battle Royale between two of West Virginia’s best policy wonks – Ted Boettner ,

He bought the ax and the tackle box from a desperate woman by the side of the road. "She was selling her life away, her memories, just to have enough money to have food," Jim Justice said in his first speech as governor, as he held the ax and the tackle box. "She looked at me with tears in her eyes and said, 'Mister, you don't have any idea how bad I'm hurting,'" Justice said. Justice is promising big changes, now that he's governor. In his inaugural speech, he said he wanted to: - Raise the pay